Seed treatment with combinations of pyrethrins/pyrethroids and thiamethoxam

ABSTRACT

A method of preventing damage to the seed and/or shoots and foliage of a plant by a pest includes treating the seed from which the plant grows with a composition that includes a combination of thiamethoxam and at least one pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid which is selected from the group consisting of taufluvalinate, flumethrin, trans-cyfluthrin, kadethrin, bioresmethrin, tetramethrin, phenothrin, empenthrin, cyphenothrin, prallethrin, imiprothrin, allethrin and bioallethrin. The treatment is applied to the unsown seed. In another embodiment, the seed is a transgenic seed having at least one heterologous gene encoding for the expression of a protein having pesticidal activity against a first pest and the composition has activity against at least one second pest. Treated seeds are also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Pat.Appl. No. 60/238,485, filed Oct. 6, 2000, and claims priority thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] (1) Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to the control of plant pestsand more particularly to the provision of protection against insectdamage to seeds and plant parts by the treatment of plant seeds withcombinations of pesticides; in particular, the invention relates to thecontrol of insect damage to seeds and plant parts by the treatment ofplant seeds with a combination of thiamethoxam with pyrethrins and/orsynthetic pyrethroids.

[0004] (2) Description of the Related Art

[0005] The control of insects and related arthropods is of extremeimportance to the agricultural industry. Every year, these pests destroyan estimated 15% of agricultural crops in the United States and evenmore than that in developing countries. Some of this damage occurs inthe soil when plant pathogens, insects and other such soil borne pestsattack the seed after planting. Much of the rest of the damage is causedby rootworms; plant pathogens that feed upon or otherwise damage theplant roots; and by cutworms, European corn borers, and other pests thatfeed upon or damage the above ground parts of the plant. Generaldescriptions of the type and mechanisms of attack of pests onagricultural crops are provided by, for example, Metcalf, in Destructiveand Useful Insects, (1962); and Agrios, in Plant Pathology, 3rd Ed.,Academic Press (1988).

[0006] The period during germination of the seed, sprouting and initialgrowth of the plant is particularly critical because the roots andshoots of the growing plant are small and even a small amount of damagecan kill the entire plant. Moreover, some natural plant defenses are notfully developed at this stage and the plant is vulnerable to attack. Notsurprisingly, the control of pests that attack the seed and the aboveground plant parts during this early stage of plant growth is a welldeveloped area of agriculture.

[0007] Currently, the control of pests that attack post emergent cropsprimarily involves the application of synthetic organic pesticides tothe soil, or to the growing plants by foliar spraying. Because ofconcern about the impact of chemical pesticides on public health and theenvironment, there has been much effort to reduce the amount of chemicalpesticides that are used. A significant portion of this effort has beenexpended in developing transgenic crops engineered to express insecttoxicants from microorganisms. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,012 toEstruch et al. discloses the cloning and expression of proteins fromsuch organisms as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Clavibacter and Rhizobium intoplants to obtain transgenic plants with resistance to such pests asblack cutworms, armyworms, several borers and other insect pests.Publication WO/EP97/07089 by Privalle et al. teaches the transformationof monocotyledons, such as corn, with a recombinant DNA sequenceencoding peroxidase for the protection of the plant from feeding by cornborers, earworms and cutworms. Jansens et al., in Crop Sci.,37(5):1616-1624 (1997), reported the production of transgenic corncontaining a gene encoding a crystalline protein from Bacillusthuringiensis that controlled both generations of the European cornborer. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,625,136 and 5,859,336 to Koziel et al. reportedthat the transformation of corn with a gene from B. thuringiensis thatencoded for delta-endotoxins provided the transgenic corn with improvedresistance to European corn borer.

[0008] A comprehensive report of field trials of transgenic corn thatexpresses an insecticidal protein from B. thuringiensis has beenprovided by Armstrong et al., in Crop Science, 35(2):550-557 (1995).

[0009] At the present state of plant cellular engineering, however,transgenic crops are typically resistant only to specific pests for thatcrop, e.g., transgenic corn expressing a Bt toxin against the cornrootworm. It is frequently necessary to apply synthetic pesticides tosuch transgenic plants to control damage by other pests.

[0010] Insecticides such as synthetic pyrethroids, organophosphates andcarbamates; fungicides such as azoles and anilopyrimidines; andacaricides such as pyrazoles; and the like, are very effective againstcertain above ground plant pests when applied at the proper time andwith proper procedures. Appropriate pesticides may be applied at thetime of planting as surface bands, “T”-bands, or in-furrow, but theseapplications require the additional operation of applying the pesticideat the same time as the seeds are being sown. This complicates theplanting operation and the additional equipment required for pesticideapplication is costly to purchase and requires maintenance and attentionduring use. Moreover, care must be taken to incorporate the pesticidesproperly into the topmost soil layer for optimal activity. (See, forexample, the application requirements and precautions for use oftefluthrin that are described in the brochure titled Force 3GInsecticide, published by Zeneca Ag Products, Wilmington, Del. (1998)).

[0011] The activity of pesticides that have been applied as in-furrowapplications at the time of sowing is usually directed to the protectionof the seed or the roots of the plant. Some protection against aboveground pests such as corn borers has been reported, however, for suchtreatments with insecticides known to be systemic. Keaster andFairchild, J. Econ. Entomol., 61(2):367-369 (1968). Since such pesticidechemicals are complex molecules that are expensive to produce, purchaseand use, it is desirable that their activity is not diluted or lost bymigration away from the desired site of action by moisture seepage or byvaporization.

[0012] After the plant has emerged from the soil, foliar spraying ofpesticides is most often used to control those pests that attach theshoots and foliage of the plant. However, a foliar spray must be appliedat a certain time that coincides with the presence and activity of thepest in order to have the most beneficial effect. Application at thistime may be difficult or impossible if, for example, weather conditionslimit access to the field. Moreover, the plants must be monitoredclosely to observe early signs of pest activity in order to apply thepesticide at a time when the pests are most vulnerable.

[0013] Synthetic pyrethroids have been found to give excellent controlof pests of the order of Lepidoptera, such as cutworms, when applied asfoliar spray or as surface-incorporated granules at the time ofplanting. However, since this class of insecticides has very hightoxicity to fish, for example, great care must be taken to limit therunoff of the insecticide from either granules or spray into surfacewaters. Moreover, any foliar spraying must be done at times when thereis little wind, and then only with proper equipment that is carefullymonitored during use.

[0014] It has also been found in some cases with particular pesticidesand application techniques that when two or more of such pesticides areused in particular combination greater efficacy results than when anyone of such pesticides is used alone. Such benefits of combiningpesticides has been reported for combinations of phosmet withdiflubenzuron (U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,927);O-ethyl-O-[4-(methylthio)-phenyl]-S-propyl phosphodithioate andN′-(4-chloro-o-tolyl)-N,N-dimethylformamidine (U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,595);bacillus thuringiensis and chlordimeform (U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,813);decamethrine and dichlorvos with propoxur, if desired, (U.S. Pat. No.4,863,909); fenvalerate and phosmet (U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,287); andphosalone and malathion (U.S. Pat. No. 4.064,237). However, each ofthese combinations was applied directly to the growing plant asdescribed above in the form of sprays or dusts, or applied to the soilaround the plant in the form of, for example, granules.

[0015] WO9740692 discloses combinations of any one of several oxadiazinederivatives with one of a long list of other insecticides. Although theapplication mentions that the combinations can be applied to plantpropagation material for its protection, as well as to plant shoots andleaves, no examples are provided to demonstrate that any one of thecombinations listed is actually efficacious. More pesticide combinationsare described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,415,561, 5,385,926, 5,972,941 and5,952,358. However, in the existing art, little or no guidance has beenfound as methods for predicting which combinations of pesticides willresult in such unexpectedly superior efficacy and which combinationswill not.

[0016] The control of pests by applying insecticides directly to plantseed is well known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,696,144 discloses thatthe European corn borer caused less feeding damage to corn plants grownfrom seed treated with a 1-arylpyrazole compound at a rate of 500 g perquintal of seed than control plants grown from untreated seed. Inaddition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,739 to Turnblad et al. (and its parent,U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,320) disclose a method for controlling soil-borneinsects which involves treating seeds with a coating containing one ormore polymeric binders and an insecticide. This reference provides alist of insecticides that it identifies as candidates for use in thiscoating and also names a number of potential target insects. However,while the U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,739 patent states that treating corn seedwith a coating containing a particular insecticide protects corn rootsfrom damage by the corn rootworm, it does not indicate or otherwisesuggest that treatment of corn seed with any particular combinations ofinsecticides provides the seed or the plant with synergistic protection,or with any other unexpected advantage.

[0017] Thus, although the art of protecting the shoots and foliage—aswell as the seed and roots—of a plant from damage by pests has beenadvancing rapidly, several problems still remain. For example, it wouldbe useful to provide a method for the control of pest damage to shootsand foliage of plants without the requirement of applying a pesticide atthe time of sowing the seed, either as a surface incorporated band, orin-furrow, for example, or requiring a later field application of apesticide during plant growth. It would also be useful if the method forpest control reduced the amount of pesticide that was required toprovide a certain level of protection to the plant. Furthermore, itwould be useful if such a method could be coupled with the biopesticidalactivity of transgenic plants, or with the insecticidal activity ofother active materials to provide a broader scope of protection than isprovided by the transgenic elements, or the insecticidal actives alone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to a novelmethod for preventing damage by a pest to a seed and/or shoots andfoliage of a plant grown from the seed, the method comprising treatingthe unsown seed with a composition comprising thiamethoxam and at leastone pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid. It is preferred that thepyrethrin or pyrethroid is one or more selected from the groupconsisting of taufluvalinate, flumethrin, trans-cyfluthrin, kadethrin,bioresmethrin, tetramethrin, phenothrin, empenthrin, cyphenothrin,prallethrin, imiprothrin, allethrin and bioallethrin. Seeds that havebeen treated by this method are also provided.

[0019] The invention is also directed to a novel composition for thetreatment of unsown seed comprising thiamethoxam and at least onepyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid. Here again, it is preferred that thepyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid is one or more selected from the groupconsisting of taufluvalinate, flumethrin, trans-cyfluthrin, kadethrin,bioresmethrin, tetramethrin, phenothrin, empenthrin, cyphenothrin,prallethrin, imiprothrin, allethrin and bioallethrin.

[0020] The invention is also directed to a novel seed that is protectedagainst multiple pests comprising a seed having at least oneheterologous gene encoding for the expression of a protein that isactive against a first pest and, in addition, having adhered thereto acomposition comprising thiamethoxam and at least one pyrethrin orsynthetic pyrethroid, where the composition is present in an amounteffective to provide protection to the shoots and foliage of the plantagainst damage by at least one second pest.

[0021] The invention is also directed to a novel method for treating anunsown seed to prevent damage by a pest to the seed and/or shoots andfoliage of a plant grown from the seed, the method comprising contactingthe unsown seed with a composition comprising thiamethoxam and at leastone pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid selected from the group consistingof taufluvalinate, flumethrin, trans-cyfluthrin, kadethrin,bioresmethrin, tetramethrin, phenothrin, empenthrin, cyphenothrin,prallethrin, imiprothrin, allethrin and bioallethrin.

[0022] Among the advantages found to be achieved by the presentinvention, therefore, may be noted the provision of a method for thecontrol of pest damage to seeds and/or shoots and foliage of plantswithout the requirement of applying a pesticide at the time of sowingthe seed, either as a surface incorporated band, or in-furrow, forexample, or requiring a later field application of a pesticide duringplant growth; the provision of a method for pest control that reducesthe amount of pesticide that is required for the provision of a certainlevel of protection to the plant; and the provision of method that canbe coupled with the biopesticidal activity of transgenic plants toselectively broaden the scope of protection that is provided for theshoots and foliage of the transgenic plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] In accordance with the present invention, it has been discoveredthat treatment of unsown plant seeds with a composition that includes aspecific combination of insecticides not only protects the seedsthemselves, but—surprisingly—also provides post-emergent control ofpests that feed on or otherwise damage the shoots and/or foliage of theplant. The combination of insecticides that has been found to achievesuch results is a combination of a pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid andthiamethoxam.

[0024] In preferred embodiments, the subject combination of insecticidesprovides unexpectedly superior protection in that the combination of theinsecticides provides a level of protection to the seed and/or the plantthat is superior to the level of protection that—based on the currentstate of the art—would be predicted from the protection provided by theindividual components applied separately. This synergistic activityreduces the total amount of pesticide that is required to provide acertain level of protection. In addition to being more economical touse, the ability to use a reduced amount of pesticide for a given levelof protection is advantageous in that seed treatments with reducedamounts of insecticides are less phytotoxic to the seed than when theinsecticides are used separately.

[0025] Another advantage of the novel treatment is that it can be usedwith transgenic seeds of the type having a heterologous gene encodingfor the expression of a pesticidal protein in the transgenic plant thatgrows from the seed. Treating such a seed with a pesticide provides theability to protect against one pest with the transgenic trait and toprovide surprisingly enhanced protection against the same pest, and/orto protect against other pests with the subject combination ofinsecticides.

[0026] As used herein, the terms “pesticidal effect” and “pesticidalactivity” mean any direct or indirect action on the target pest thatresults in reduced feeding damage on the seeds, roots, shoots andfoliage of plants grown from treated seeds as compared to plants grownfrom untreated seeds. The terms “active against a (first or second)pest”, also have the same meaning. Such direct or indirect actionsinclude inducing death of the pest, repelling the pest from the plantseeds, roots, shoots and/or foliage, inhibiting feeding of the pest on,or the laying of its eggs on, the plant seeds, roots, shoots and/orfoliage, and inhibiting or preventing reproduction of the pest. The term“insecticidal activity” has the same meaning as pesticidal activity,except it is limited to those instances where the pest is an insect.When the term “pesticide” is used herein, it is not meant to includepesticides that are produced by the particular seed or the plant thatgrows from the particular seed that is treated with the pesticide.

[0027] As used herein, the “shoots and foliage” of a plant are to beunderstood to be the shoots, stems, branches, leaves and otherappendages of the stems and branches of the plant after the seed hassprouted, but not including the roots of the plant. It is preferablethat the shoots and foliage of a plant be understood to be thosenon-root parts of the plant that have grown from the seed and arelocated a distance of at least one inch away from the seed from whichthey emerged (outside the region of the seed), and more preferably, tobe the non-root parts of the plant that are at or above the surface ofthe soil. As used herein, the “region of the seed” is to be understoodto be that region within about one inch of the seed.

[0028] Pesticides suitable for use in the invention include pyrethrinsand synthetic pyrethroids and thiamethoxam. Information about pyrethrinsand pyrethroids and thiamethoxam can be found in The Pesticide Manual,11th Ed., C. D. S. Tomlin, Ed., British Crop Protection Council,Farnham, Surry, UK (1997).

[0029] Pyrethroids that are useful in the present composition includepyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids. The pyrethrins that are preferredfor use in the present method include, without limitation,2-allyl-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one ester of2,2-dimethyl-3-(2methyl propenyl)-cyclopropane carboxylic acid, and/or(2-methyl-1-propenyl) -2-methoxy-4-oxo-3-(2 propenyl)-2-cyclopenten-1-ylester and mixtures of cis and trans isomers thereof (Chemical AbstractsService Registry Number (“CAS RN”) 8003-34-7).

[0030] Synthetic pyrethroids that are preferred for use in the presentinvention include (s)-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl 4-chloro alpha(1-methylethyl)benzeneacetate (fenvalerate; CAS RN 51630-58-1);(S)-cyano (3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl (S)-4-chloro-alpha-(1-methylethyl)benzeneacetate (esfenvalerate; CAS RN 66230-04-4);(3-phenoxyphenyl)-methyl(+)cis-trans-3-(2,2-dichoroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate(permethrin; CAS RN 52645-53-1); (±) alpha-cyano-(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl(+)-cis,trans-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-d imethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylate (cypermethrin; CAS RN 52315-07-8); (beta-cypermethrin; CASRN 65731-84-2); (theta cypermethrin; CAS RN 71697-59-1); S-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl (±) cis/trans 3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl) 2,2dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate (zeta-cypermethrin; CAS RN 52315-07-8);(s)-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (IR,3R)-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropanecarboxylate(deltamethrin; CAS RN 52918-63-5); alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl2,2,3,3,-tetramethyl cyclopropoanecarboxylate (fenpropathrin; CAS RN64257-84-7);(RS)-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl(R)-2-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)anilino]-3-methylbutanoate(tau-fluvalinate; CAS RN 102851-06-9);(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methylphenyl)-methyl-(1 alpha, 3alpha)-(Z)-(±)-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate(tefluthrin; CAS RN 79538-32-2); (±)-cyano (3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl(+)-4-(difluoromethoxy)-alpha-(1-methyl ethyl) benzeneacetate(flucythrinate; CAS RN 70124-77-5);cyano(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl3-[2-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethenyl]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate(flumethrin; CAS RN 69770-45-2); cyano(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropanedarboxylate(cyfluthrin; CAS RN 68359-37-5); (beta cyfluthrin; CAS RN 68359-37-5);(transfluthrin; CAS RN 118712-89-3);(S)-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl(Z)-(IR-cis)-2,2-dimethyl-3-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-trifluoromethyl-ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]cyclopropanecarboxylate (acrinathrin; CAS RN 101007-06-1); (IR cis) S and (IS cis) Renantiomer isomer pair ofalpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-3-(2,2dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (alpha-cypermethrin; CAS RN 67375-30-8);[IR,3S)3(1′RS)(1′,2′,2′,2′-tetrabromoethyl)]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid (s)-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl ester(tralomethrin; CAS RN 66841-25-6); cyano-(3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl2,2-dichloro-1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)cyclopropane carboxylate (cycloprothrin;CAS RN 63935-38-6); [1α,3α(Z)]-(±)-cyano-(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-cimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate(cyhalothrin; CAS RN 68085-85-8); [1 alpha (s), 3alpha(z)]-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (lambda cyhalothrin; CAS RN 91465-08-6); (2-methyl[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl) methyl3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylate (bifenth rin; CAS RN 82657-04-3);5-1-benzyl-3-furylmethyl-d-cis(1R, 3S, E)2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-oxo,-2,2,4,5tetrahydro thiophenylidenemethyl)cyclopropane carboxylate (kadethrin,RU15525; CAS RN 58769-20-3); [5-(phenyl methyl)-3-furanyl]-3-furanyl2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methyl-1-propenyl) cyclopropane carboxylate(resmethrin; CAS RN 10453-86-8);(1R-trans)-[5-(phenylmethyl)-3-furanyl]methyl2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methyl-1-propenyl)cyclopropanecarboxylate(bioresmethrin; CAS RN 28434-01-7); 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-phthalimidomethyl-(IRS)-cis-trans-chrysanthemate (tetramethrin;CAS RN 7696-12-0); 3-phenoxybenzyl-d,l-cis,trans2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylpropenyl) cyclopropane carboxylate (phenothrin;CAS RN 26002-80-2); (empenthrin; CAS RN 54406-48-3); (cyphenothrin; CASRN 39515-40-7); (prallethrin; CAS RN 23031-36-9); (imiprothrin; CAS RN72963-72-5); (RS)-3-allyl-2-methyl-4-oxcyclopent-2-enyl-(1A,3R;1R,3S)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl) cyclopropane carboxylate(allethrin; CAS RN 584-79-2); (bioallethrin; CAS RN 584-79-2); and(ZXI8901; CAS RN 160791-64-0). It is believed that mixtures of one ormore of the aforementioned synthetic pyrethroids can also be used in thepresent invention.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred thatthe pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid is limited to a pyrethroidselected from the group consisting of taufluvalinate, flumethrin,trans-cyfluthrin, kadethrin, bioresmethrin, tetramethrin, phenothrin,empenthrin, cyphenothrin, prallethrin, imiprothrin, allethrin andbioallethrin.

[0032] The pyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids that are useful in thepresent compositions can be of any grade or purity that pass in thetrade as pyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids. Other materials thataccompany the pyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids in commercialpreparations as impurities can be tolerated in the subject compositions,as long as such other materials do not destabilize the composition orsignificantly reduce or destroy the activity of any of the insecticidecomponents against the target pest. One of ordinary skill in the art ofthe production of insecticides can readily identify those impuritiesthat can be tolerated and those that cannot.

[0033] Thiamethoxam(3-[(2-chloro-5-thiazoyl)methyl]tetrahydro-5-methyl-N-nitro-4H-1,3,5-oxadiazin-4-imine;CAS RN 153719-23-4) comprises one of the components of insecticides ofthe present combination.

[0034] The thiamethoxam insecticides that are useful in the presentcompositions can be of any grade or purity that pass in the trade asthiamethoxam. Other materials that accompany the thiamethoxam incommercial preparations as impurities can be tolerated in the subjectcompositions, as long as such other materials do not destabilize thecomposition or significantly reduce or destroy the activity of any ofthe insecticide components against the target pest. One of ordinaryskill in the art of the production of insecticides can readily identifythose impurities that can be tolerated and those that cannot.

[0035] When an insecticide is described herein, it is to be understoodthat the description is intended to include salt forms of theinsecticide as well as any isomeric and/or tautomeric form of theinsecticide that exhibits the same insecticidal activity as the form ofthe insecticide that is described.

[0036] One embodiment of this invention comprises treating a seed with acomposition comprising at least one pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroidand thiamethoxam. The treatment is applied to the seed prior to sowingthe seed so that the sowing operation is simplified. In this manner,seeds can be treated, for example, at a central location and thendispersed for planting. This permits the person who plants the seeds toavoid the handling and use of insecticides—some of which can betoxic—and to merely handle and plant the treated seeds in a manner thatis conventional for regular untreated seeds. It is preferred in somecombinations that at least one of the pyrethrins or syntheticpyrethroids is a systemic insecticide.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present method, a seed can be treatedwith a combination of thiamethoxam and any one of the insecticides thatare shown in Table 1. In fact, two or more of the pesticides listed inTable 1 can be used in combination with thiamethoxam. TABLE 1 Pesticidesthat can be used in combination with thiamethoxam that are believed toprovide synergistic insecticidal activity^(a). COMPOSITION NO.PYRETHROID  1 lambda-cyhalothrin  2 tefluthrin  3 cyfluthrin  4bifenthrin  5 fenvalerate  6 esfenvalerate  7 permethrin  8 cypermethrin 9 beta-cypermethrin 10 zeta-cypermethrin 11 deltamethrin 12fenpropathrin 13 taufluvalinate 14 flucythrinate 15 flumethrin 16beta-cyfluthrin 17 trans-cyfluthrin 18 acrinathrin 19 alphacypermethrin20 tralomethrin 21 cycloprothrin 22 kadethrin 23 resmethrin 24bioresmethrin 25 tetramethrin 26 phenothrin 27 empenthrin 28cyphenothrin 29 prallethrin 30 imiprothrin 31 allethrin 32 bioallethrin

[0038] When thiamethoxam is present in the subject combination, it hasbeen found that it is preferred that the at least one pyrethroid beselected from the group consisting of taufluvalinate, flumethrin,trans-cyfluthrin, kadethrin, bioresmethrin, tetramethrin, phenothrin,empenthrin, cyphenothrin, prallethrin, imiprothrin, allethrin andbioallethrin. Preferred combinations include thiamethoxam andtaufluvalinate, thiamethoxam and flumethrin, thiamethoxam andtrans-cyfluthrin, thiamethoxam and kadethrin, thiamethoxam andbioresmethrin, thiamethoxam and tetramethrin, thiamethoxam andphenothrin, thiamethoxam and empenthrin, thiamethoxam and cyphenothrin,thiamethoxam and prallethrin, thiamethoxam and imiprothrin, thiamethoxamand allethrin and thiamethoxam and bioallethrin.

[0039] It has also been found that a transgenic seed can be protectedagainst multiple pests when the seed has at least one heterologous geneencoding for the expression of a protein that is active against a firstpest and, in addition, having adhered thereto a composition comprisingat least one pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid and thiamethoxam. It ispreferred that the composition containing the synergistic combination ofinsecticides is present in an amount effective to provide protection tothe shoots and foliage of the plant against damage by at least onesecond pest. It is more preferred that the composition is present in anamount effective to provide a synergistic effect.

[0040] When the transgenic seed has at least one heterologous geneencoding for the expression of a protein that is active against a firstpest, the seed can be treated with a synergistic combination ofinsecticides, which combination has activity against at least one secondpest. The present method can be used when the first pest and the secondpest are the same, for the purpose, for example, to obtain effectivecontrol of a particularly resistant or highly damaging pest. But in aseparate embodiment, the transgenic trait protects the seed and/or plantfrom a first pest and the composition of the combination of insecticidesis selected to control a second pest that is different from the firstpest. This method is particularly advantageous when an expressedtransgenic gene provides a gene product that can protect a transgenicplant from one pest, but has no activity against a second, differentpest. In this case, a combination of insecticides of the presentinvention can be selected that has activity against the second pest,thus providing the seed and plant with protection from both pests. Byway of explanation, when a “first” pest and a “second” pest are referredto herein, it should be understood that each of the terms can includeonly one pest, or can include two or more pests.

[0041] It is contemplated that the present method can be used to protectthe seeds, roots and/or the above-ground parts of field, forage,plantation, glasshouse, orchard or vineyard crops, ornamentals,plantation or forest trees. The seeds that are useful in the presentinvention can be the seeds of any species of plant. However, they arepreferably the seeds of plant species that are agronomically important.In particular, the seeds can be of corn, peanut, canola/rapeseed,soybean, curcubits, crucifers, cotton, beets, rice, sorghum, sugar beet,wheat, barley, rye, sunflower, tomato, sugarcane, tobacco, oats, as wellas other vegetable and leaf crops. It is preferred that the seed becorn, soybeans, or cotton seed; and more preferred that the seeds becorn seeds.

[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, as mentioned above, the seedis a transgenic seed from which a transgenic plant can grow. Thetransgenic seed of the present invention is engineered to express adesirable characteristic and, in particular, to have at least oneheterologous gene encoding for the expression of a protein that ispesticidally active and, in particular, has insecticidal activity. Theheterologous gene in the transgenic seeds of the present invention canbe derived from a microorganism such as Bacillus, Rhizobium,Pseudomonas, Serratia, Trichoderma, Clavibacter, Glomus, Gliocladium andmycorrhizal fungi. In particular, it is believed that the present methodwould be especially beneficial when the heterologous gene is one that isderived from a Bacillus sp. microorganism and the protein is activeagainst corn rootworm. It is also believed that the present method wouldbe especially beneficial when the heterologous gene is one that isderived from a Bacillus sp. microorganism and the protein is activeagainst European corn borer. A preferred Bacillus sp. microorganism isBacillus thuringiensis. It is particularly preferred when theheterologous gene encodes a modified Cry3Bb delta-endotoxin derived fromBacillus thuringiensis.

[0043] The target pest for the present invention is an adult or larvaeof any insect or other pest that feeds on the seed, roots and/or shootsand foliage of the plant that is to be protected by the subject method.Such pests include but are not limited to:

[0044] from the order Lepidoptera, for example,

[0045] Acleris spp., Adoxophyes spp., Aegeria spp., Agrotis spp.,Alabama argillaceae, Amylois spp., Anticarsia gemmatalis, Archips spp,Argyrotaenia spp., Autographa spp., Busseola fusca, Cadra cautella,Carposina nipponensis, Chilo spp., Choristoneura spp., Clysiaambiguella, Cnaphalocrocis spp., Cnephasia spp., Cochylis spp.,Coleophora spp., Crocidolomia binotalis, Cryptophlebia leucotreta, Cydiaspp., Diatraea spp., Diparopsis castanea, Earias spp., Ephestia spp.,Eucosma spp., Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis spp., Euxoa spp.,Grapholita spp., Hedya nubiferana, Heliothis spp., Hellula undalis,Hyphantria cunea, Keiferia lycopersicella, Leucoptera scitella,Lithocollethis spp., Lobesia botrana, Lymantria spp., Lyonetia spp.,Malacosoma spp., Mamestra brassicae, Manduca sexta, Operophtera spp.,Ostrinia Nubilalis, Pammene spp., Pandemis spp., Panolis flammea,Pectinophora gossypiella, Phthorimaea operculella, Pieris rapae, Pierisspp., Plutella xylostella, Prays spp., Scirpophaga spp., Sesamia spp.,Sparganothis spp., Spodoptera spp., Synanthedon spp., Thaumetopoea spp.,Tortrix spp., Trichoplusia ni and Yponomeuta spp.; from the orderColeoptera, for example,

[0046] Agriotes spp., Anthonomus spp., Atomaria linearis, Chaetocnematibialis, Cosmopolites spp., Curculio spp., Dermestes spp., Diabroticaspp., Epilachna spp., Eremnus spp., Leptinotarsa decemlineata,Lissorhoptrus spp., Melolontha spp., Orycaephilus spp., Otiorhynchusspp., Phlyctinus spp., Popillia spp., Psylliodes spp., Rhizopertha spp.,Scarabeidae, Sitophilus spp., Sitotroga spp., Tenebrio spp., Triboliumspp. and Trogoderma spp.;

[0047] from the order Orthoptera, for example,

[0048] Blatta spp., Blattelia spp., Gryllotalpa spp., Leucophaeamaderae, Locusta spp., Periplaneta ssp., and Schistocerca spp.;

[0049] from the order Isoptera, for example,

[0050] Reticulitemes ssp;

[0051] from the order Psocoptera, for example,

[0052] Liposcelis spp.;

[0053] from the order Anoplura, for example,

[0054] Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp., Pediculus spp., Pemphigusspp. and Phylloxera spp.;

[0055] from the order Mallophaga, for example,

[0056] Damalinea spp. and Trichodectes spp.;

[0057] from the order Thysanoptera, for example,

[0058] Franklinella spp., Hercinothrips spp., Taeniothrips spp., Thripspalmi, Thrips tabaci and Scirtothrips auranti;

[0059] from the order Heteroptera, for example,

[0060] Cimex spp., Distantiella theobroma, Dysdercus spp., Euchistusspp., Eurygaster spp., Leptocorisa spp., Nezara spp., Piesma spp.,Rhodnius spp., Sahlbergella singularis, Scotinophara spp. and Triatomaspp.;

[0061] from the order Homoptera, for example,

[0062]Aleurothrixus floccosus, Aleyrodes brassicae, Aonidiella spp.,Aphididae, Aphis spp., Aspidiotus spp., Bemisia tabaci, Ceroplasterspp., Chrysomphalus aonidium, Chrysomphalus dictyospermi, Coccushesperidum, Empoasca spp., Eriosoma larigerum, Erythroneura spp.,Gascardia spp., Laodelphax spp., Lacanium corni, Lepidosaphes spp.,Macrosiphus spp., Myzus spp., Nehotettix spp., Nilaparvata spp.,Paratoria spp., Pemphigus spp., Planococcus spp., Pseudaulacaspis spp.,Pseudococcus spp., Psylla ssp., Pulvinaria aethiopica, Quadraspidiotusspp., Rhopalosiphum spp., Saissetia spp., Scaphoideus spp., Schizaphisspp., Sitobion spp., Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Trioza erytreae andUnaspis citri;

[0063] from the order Hymenoptera, for example,

[0064] Acromyrmex, Atta spp., Cephus spp., Diprion spp., Diprionidae,Gilpinia polytoma, Hoplocampa spp., Lasius sppp., Monomorium pharaonis,Neodiprion spp, Solenopsis spp. and Vespa ssp.;

[0065] from the order Diptera, for example,

[0066] Aedes spp., Antherigona soccata, Bibio hortulanus, Calliphoraerythrocephala, Ceratitis spp., Chrysomyia spp., Culex spp., Cuterebraspp., Dacus spp., Drosophila melanogaster, Fannia spp., Gastrophilusspp., Glossina spp., Hypoderma spp., Hyppobosca spp., Liriomysa spp.,Lucilia spp., Melanagromyza spp., Musca ssp., Oestrus spp., Orseoliaspp., Oscinella frit, Pegomyia hyoscyami, Phorbia spp., Rhagoletispomonella, Sciara spp., Stomoxys spp., Tabanus spp., Tannia spp. andTipula spp.,

[0067] from the order Siphonaptera, for example,

[0068] Ceratophyllus spp. und Xenopsylla cheopis and from the orderThysanura, for example,

[0069]Lepisma saccharina.

[0070] In each embodiment of the invention, a combination of two or moreinsecticides is applied to a seed in an effective amount; that is, anamount sufficient to provide protection to the seed and/or shoots andfoliage of the plant that grows from the seed. As used herein,“protection” is achieved if the percent of feeding damage to the seedand/or the shoots and foliage at 10 days after infestation (DAI) withthe pest is reduced for treated seeds or plants grown from treated seedsas compared to untreated seeds or plants grown from untreated seeds. Ina preferred embodiment, an unexpected advantage of the compositions ofthe present invention is that the component insecticides of thecomposition operate synergistically. As used here, when it is said thata combination demonstrates “synergy”, what is meant is that the degreeof protection that is provided to a seed and/or the shoots and foliageof a plant that grows from a seed, by treatment of the seed by thepresent method (using a combination of insecticides), is superior to thedegree of protection that would be expected on the basis of theprotection provided by each of the components of the composition appliedseparately.

[0071] Methods for the calculation of whether a particular insecticidecombination provides a synergistic degree of protection against pestsare described in detail in the Examples. Briefly stated, however,whether a combination of insecticides provided synergy in protectionagainst cutworm damage can be calculated as described by Colby, Robert.S., in Weeds, 15(1):20-22 (1967). The threshold value (stated as % ofcontrol) for synergy of a combination was calculated as =(% of controlfor treatment A)*(% of control for treatment B)/100(n−1); where n=numberof active ingredients in the combination. A measured % of control valuethat is less than the calculated threshold value indicates synergy ofthe combination.

[0072] When the “degree of protection” is mentioned herein, it is meantto include the amount of damage caused by the target insect to seedsthat have been treated with a given amount of insecticide (and theplants that sprout therefrom) relative to the amount of damage caused tountreated seeds and plants. But “degree of protection” can also refer tothe number of different types of target pests that are affected by thetreatment and the length of the period of protection. In other words, asynergistic degree of protection can include unexpectedly effectiveprotection at reduced levels of active ingredient, as well as protectionagainst an unexpectedly wide variety of pests, or protection for anunexpectedly long (or otherwise particularly effective) period of time.

[0073] The amount of the insecticidal composition of the presentinvention that will provide protection to plant shoots and foliage willvary depending on the particular pesticide combination, theconcentration of active ingredients in the composition, the nature ofthe formulation in which it is applied, the seed type, and the targetpest(s). As used herein, an amount of the composition effective toprovide protection to the seed and/or shoots and foliage of the plantagainst damage by the pest is the lowest amount of such pesticide thatwill provide such protection. Assuming that the composition is comprisedof 100% active ingredients, then, in general, the amount of the subjectcomposition used will range from about 0.005% to 25% of the weight ofthe seed, and more preferably, from about 0.01% to about 10%. A yet morepreferred range is 0.01% to 1% of the active ingredients relative to theweight of the seed, and an even more preferred range is 0.05% to 0.5%.

[0074] The subject compositions are each composed of at least twoinsecticidal compounds, such as the combinations described in Table 1,and in the surrounding text. When two components are used, the relativeamounts of the two insecticides can range from 1:1000 to 1000:1, byweight. It is preferred, however, that the weight ratio of the twoinsecticides range from 1:100 to 100:1, more preferred is a ratio of1:10 to 10:1, and yet more preferred is a ratio of 1:3 to 3:1.

[0075] In the method of the present invention, the combination ofpesticides is applied to a seed. Although it is believed that thepresent method can be applied to a seed in any physiological state, itis preferred that the seed be in a sufficiently durable state that itincurs no damage during the treatment process. Typically, the seed wouldbe a seed that had been harvested from the field; removed from theplant; and separated from any cob, stalk, outer husk, and surroundingpulp or other non-seed plant material. The seed would preferably also bebiologically stable to the extent that the treatment would cause nobiological damage to the seed. In one embodiment, for example, thetreatment can be applied to seed corn that has been harvested, cleanedand dried to a moisture content below about 15% by weight. In analternative embodiment, the seed can be one that has been dried and thenprimed with water and/or another material and then re-dried before orduring the treatment with the pesticide. Within the limitations justdescribed, it is believed that the treatment can be applied to the seedat any time between harvest of the seed and sowing of the seed. As usedherein, the term “unsown seed” is meant to include seed at any periodbetween the harvest of the seed and the sowing of the seed in the groundfor the purpose of germination and growth of the plant.

[0076] When it is said that unsown seed is “treated” with thecomposition, such treatment is not meant to include those practices inwhich the pesticide is applied to the soil, rather than to the seed. Forexample, such treatments as the application of the pesticide in bands,“T”-bands, or in-furrow, at the same time as the seed is sowed are notconsidered to be included in the present invention.

[0077] The composition comprising a combination of pesticides, can beapplied “neat”, that is, without any diluting or additional componentspresent. However, the composition is typically applied to the seeds inthe form of a pesticide formulation. This formulation may contain one ormore other desirable components including but not limited to liquiddiluents, binders to serve as a matrix for the pesticide, fillers forprotecting the seeds during stress conditions, and plasticizers toimprove flexibility, adhesion and/or spreadability of the coating. Inaddition, for oily pesticide formulations containing little or nofiller, it may be desirable to add to the formulation drying agents suchas calcium carbonate, kaolin or bentonite clay, perlite, diatomaceousearth or any other adsorbent material. Use of such components in seedtreatments is known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,739. Theskilled artisan can readily select desirable components to use in thepesticide formulation depending on the seed type to be treated and theparticular pesticide that is selected. In addition, readily availablecommercial formulations of known pesticides may be used, as demonstratedin the examples below.

[0078] The seeds may also be treated with one or more of the followingingredients: other pesticides, including compounds which act only belowthe ground; fungicides, such as captan, thiram, metalxyl, fludioxonil,oxadixyl, and isomers of each of those materials, and the like;herbicides, including compounds selected from carbamates,thiocarbamates, acetamides, triazines, dinitroanilines, glycerol ethers,pyridazinones, uracils, phenoxys, ureas, and benzoic acids; herbicidalsafeners such as benzoxazine, benzhydryl derivatives, N,N-diallyldichloroacetamide, various dihaloacyl, oxazolidinyl and thiazolidinylcompounds, ethanone, naphthalic anhydride compounds, and oximederivatives; fertilizers; and biocontrol agents such asnaturally-occurring or recombinant bacteria and fungi from the generaRhizobium, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Trichoderma, Glomus,Gliocladium and mycorrhizal fungi. These ingredients may be added as aseparate layer on the seed or alternatively may be added as part of thepesticide composition.

[0079] Preferably, the amount of the novel composition or otheringredients used in the seed treatment should not inhibit generation ofthe seed, or cause phytotoxic damage to the seed.

[0080] The composition of the present invention can be in the form of asuspension; emulsion; slurry of particles in an aqueous medium (e.g.,water); wettable powder; wettable granules (dry flowable); and drygranules. If formulated as a suspension or slurry, the concentration ofthe active ingredient in the formulation is preferably about 0.5% toabout 99% by weight (w/w), preferably 5-40%.

[0081] As mentioned above, other conventional inactive or inertingredients can be incorporated into the formulation. Such inertingredients include but are not limited to: conventional stickingagents, dispersing agents such as methylcellulose (Methocel A15LV orMethocel A15C, for example, serve as combined dispersant/sticking agentsfor use in seed treatments), polyvinyl alcohol (e.g., Elvanol 51-05),lecithin (e.g., Yelkinol P), polymeric dispersants (e.g.,polyvinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate PVP/VA S-630), thickeners (e.g., claythickeners such as Van Gel B to improve viscosity and reduce settling ofparticle suspensions), emulsion stabilizers, surfactants, antifreezecompounds (e.g., urea), dyes, colorants, and the like. Further inertingredients useful in the present invention can be found inMcCutcheon's, vol. 1, “Emulsifiers and Detergents,” MC PublishingCompany, Glen Rock, N.J., U.S.A., 1996. Additional inert ingredientsuseful in the present invention can be found in McCutcheon's, vol. 2,“Functional Materials,” MC Publishing Company, Glen Rock, N.J., U.S.A.,1996.

[0082] The pesticides, compositions of pesticide combinations, andformulations of the present invention can be applied to seeds by anystandard seed treatment methodology, including but not limited to mixingin a container (e.g., a bottle or bag), mechanical application,tumbling, spraying, and immersion. Any conventional active or inertmaterial can be used for contacting seeds with pesticides according tothe present invention, such as conventional film-coating materialsincluding but not limited to water-based film coating materials such asSepiret (Seppic, Inc., Fairfield, N.J.) and Opacoat (Berwind Pharm.Services, Westpoint, Pa.).

[0083] The subject combination of pesticides can be applied to a seed asa component of a seed coating. Seed coating methods and compositionsthat are known in the art are useful when they are modified by theaddition of one of the embodiments of the combination of pesticides ofthe present invention. Such coating methods and apparatus for theirapplication are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,918,413,5,891,246, 5,554,445, 5,389,399, 5,107,787, 5,080,925, 4,759,945 and4,465,017. Seed coating compositions are disclosed, for example, in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,939,356, 5,882,713, 5,876,739, 5,849,320, 5,834,447,5,791,084, 5,661,103, 5,622,003, 5,580,544, 5,328,942, 5,300,127,4,735,015, 4,634,587, 4,383,391, 4,372,080, 4,339,456, 4,272,417 and4,245,432, among others.

[0084] Useful seed coatings contain one or more binders and at least oneof the subject combinations of pesticides.

[0085] Binders that are useful in the present invention preferablycomprise an adhesive polymer that may be natural or synthetic and iswithout phytotoxic effect on the seed to be coated. The binder may beselected from polyvinyl acetates; polyvinyl acetate copolymers;polyvinyl alcohols; polyvinyl alcohol copolymers; celluloses, includingethylcelluloses, methylcelluloses, hyd roxymethylcelluloses,hydroxypropylcelluloses and carboxymethylcellulose;polyvinylpyrolidones; polysaccharides, including starch, modifiedstarch, dextrins, maltodextrins, alginate and chitosans; fats; oils;proteins, including gelatin and zeins; gum arabics; shellacs; vinylidenechloride and vinylidene chloride copolymers; calcium lignosulfonates;acrylic copolymers; polyvinylacrylates; polyethylene oxide; acrylamidepolymers and copolymers; polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylamidemonomers; and polychloroprene.

[0086] It is preferred that the binder be selected so that it can serveas a matrix for the subject combination of pesticides. While the bindersdisclosed above may all be useful as a matrix, the specific binder willdepend upon the properties of the combination of pesticides. The term“matrix”, as used herein, means a continuous solid phase of one or morebinder compounds throughout which is distributed as a discontinuousphase one or more of the subject combinations of pesticides. Optionally,a filler and/or other components can also be present in the matrix. Theterm matrix is to be understood to include what may be viewed as amatrix system, a reservoir system or a microencapsulated system. Ingeneral, a matrix system consists of a combination of pesticides of thepresent invention and filler uniformly dispersed within a polymer, whilea reservoir system consists of a separate phase comprising the subjectcombination of pesticides, that is physically dispersed within asurrounding, rate-limiting, polymeric phase. Microencapsulation includesthe coating of small particles or droplets of liquid, but also todispersions in a solid matrix.

[0087] The amount of binder in the coating can vary, but will be in therange of about 0.01 to about 25% of the weight of the seed, morepreferably from about 0.05 to about 15%, and even more preferably fromabout 0.1% to about 10%.

[0088] As mentioned above, the matrix can optionally include a filler.The filler can be an absorbent or an inert filler, such as are known inthe art, and may include woodflours, clays, activated carbon, sugars,diatomaceous earth, cereal flours, fine-grain inorganic solids, calciumcarbonate, and the like. Clays and inorganic solids which may be usedinclude calcium bentonite, kaolin, china clay, talc, perlite, mica,vermiculite, silicas, quartz powder, montmorillonite and mixturesthereof. Sugars which may be useful include dextrin and maltodextrin.Cereal flours include wheat flour, oat flour and barley flour.

[0089] The filler is selected so that it will provide a propermicroclimate for the seed, for example the filler is used to increasethe loading rate of the active ingredients and to adjust thecontrol-release of the active ingredients. The filler can aid in theproduction or process of coating the seed. The amount of filler canvary, but generally the weight of the filler components will be in therange of about 0.05 to about 75% of the seed weight, more preferablyabout 0.1 to about 50%, and even more preferably about 0.5% to 15%.

[0090] The pesticides that are useful in the coating are thosecombinations of pesticides that are described herein. The amount ofpesticide that is included in the coating will vary depending upon thetype of seed and the type of active ingredients, but the coating willcontain an amount of the combination of pesticides that is pesticidallyeffective. When insects are the target pest, that amount will be anamount of the combination of insecticides that is insecticidallyeffective. As used herein, an insecticidally effective amount means thatamount of insecticide that will kill insect pests in the larvae or pupalstate of growth, or will consistently reduce or retard the amount ofdamage produced by insect pests. In general, the amount of pesticide inthe coating will range from about 0.005 to about 50% of the weight ofthe seed. A more preferred range for the pesticide is from about 0.01 toabout 40%; more preferred is from about 0.05 to about 20%.

[0091] The exact amount of the combination of pesticides that isincluded in the coating is easily determined by one of skill in the artand will vary depending upon the size of the seed to be coated. Thepesticides of the coating must not inhibit germination of the seed andshould be efficacious in protecting the seed and/or the plant duringthat time in the target insect's life cycle in which it causes injury tothe seed or plant. In general, the coating will be efficacious forapproximately 0 to 120 days after sowing.

[0092] The coating is particularly effective in accommodating highpesticidal loads, as can be required to treat typically refractorypests, such as corn root worm, while at the same time preventingunacceptable phytotoxicity due to the increased pesticidal load.

[0093] Optionally, a plasticizer can be used in the coating formulation.Plasticizers are typically used to make the film that is formed by thecoating layer more flexible, to improve adhesion and spreadability, andto improve the speed of processing. Improved film flexibility isimportant to minimize chipping, breakage or flaking during storage,handling or sowing processes. Many plasticizers may be used, however,useful plasticizers include polyethylene glycol, glycerol,butylbenzylphthalate, glycol benzoates and related compounds. The rangeof plasticizer in the coating layer will be in the range of from bout0.1 to about 20% by weight.

[0094] When the combination of pesticides used in the coating is an oilytype formulation and little or no filler is present, it may be useful tohasten the drying process by drying the formulation. This optional stepmay be accomplished by means will known in the art and can include theaddition of calcium carbonate, kaolin or bentonite clay, perlite,diatomaceous earth, or any absorbent material that is added preferablyconcurrently with the pesticidal coating layer to absorb the oil orexcess moisture. The amount of calcium carbonate or related compoundsnecessary to effectively provide a dry coating will be in the range ofabout 0.5 to about 10% of the weight of the seed.

[0095] The coatings formed with the combination of pesticides arecapable of effecting a slow rate of release of the pesticide bydiffusion or movement through the matrix to the surrounding medium.

[0096] The coating can be applied to almost any crop seed that isdescribed herein, including cereals, vegetables, ornamentals and fruits.

[0097] In addition to the coating layer, the seed may be treated withone or more of the following ingredients: other pesticides includingfungicides and herbicides; herbicidal safeners; fertilizers and/orbiocontrol agents. These ingredients may be added as a separate layer oralternatively may be added in the pesticidal coating layer.

[0098] The pesticide formulation may be applied to the seeds usingconventional coating techniques and machines, such as fluidized bedtechniques, the roller mill method, rotostatic seed treaters, and drumcoaters. Other methods, such as spouted beds may also be useful. Theseeds may be presized before coating. After coating, the seeds aretypically dried and then transferred to a sizing machine for sizing.Such procedures are known in the art.

[0099] The pesticide-treated seeds may also be enveloped with a filmovercoating to protect the pesticide coating. Such overcoatings areknown in the art and may be applied using conventional fluidized bed anddrum film coating techniques.

[0100] In another embodiment of the present invention, a pesticide canbe introduced onto or into a seed by use of solid matrix priming. Forexample, a quantity of the pesticide can be mixed with a solid matrixmaterial and then the seed can be placed into contact with the solidmatrix material for a period to allow the pesticide to be introduced tothe seed. The seed can then optionally be separated from the solidmatrix material and stored or used, or the mixture of solid matrixmaterial plus seed can be stored or planted directly. Solid matrixmaterials which are useful in the present invention includepolyacrylamide, starch, clay, silica, alumina, soil, sand, polyurea,polyacrylate, or any other material capable of absorbing or adsorbingthe pesticide for a time and releasing that pesticide into or onto theseed. It is useful to make sure that the pesticide and the solid matrixmaterial are compatible with each other. For example, the solid matrixmaterial should be chosen so that it can release the pesticide at areasonable rate, for example over a period of minutes, hours, or days.

[0101] The present invention further embodies imbibition as anothermethod of treating seed with the pesticide. For example, plant seed canbe combined for a period of time with a solution comprising from about1% by weight to about 75% by weight of the pesticide in a solvent suchas water. Preferably the concentration of the solution is from about 5%by weight to about 50% by weight, more preferably from about 10% byweight to about 25% by weight. During the period that the seed iscombined with the solution, the seed takes up (imbibes) a portion of thepesticide. Optionally, the mixture of plant seed and solution can beagitated, for example by shaking, rolling, tumbling, or other means.After imbibition, the seed can be separated from the solution andoptionally dried, for example by patting or air drying.

[0102] In yet another embodiment, a powdered pesticide can be mixeddirectly with seed. Optionally, a sticking agent can be used to adherethe powder to the seed surface. For example, a quantity of seed can bemixed with a sticking agent and optionally agitated to encourage uniformcoating of the seed with the sticking agent. The seed coated with thesticking agent can then be mixed with the powdered pesticide. Themixture can be agitated, for example by tumbling, to encourage contactof the sticking agent with the powdered pesticide, thereby causing thepowdered pesticide to stick to the seed.

[0103] The present invention also provides a seed that has been treatedby the method described above.

[0104] The treated seeds of the present invention can be used for thepropagation of plants in the same manner as conventional treated seed.The treated seeds can be stored, handled, sowed and tilled in the samemanner as any other pesticide treated seed. Appropriate safety measuresshould be taken to limit contact of the treated seed with humans, foodor feed materials, water and birds and wild or domestic animals.Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the followingexamples. Other embodiments within the scope of the claims herein willbe apparent to one skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification or practice of the invention as disclosed herein. It isintended that the specification, together with the examples, beconsidered exemplary only, with the scope and spirit of the inventionbeing indicated by the claims which follow the examples.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 1

[0105] This example compares the efficacy of seed treatment withlambda-cyhalothrin (CAS# 91465-08-6) to soil granular treatments withtefluthrin (CAS # 79538-32-2) against feeding damage by black cutwormlarvae on shoots and foliage.

[0106] A lambda-cyhalothrin seed treatment formulation was prepared bydiluting the WARRIOR® T insecticide (Zeneca Ag Products, Wilmington,Del.), which contains 11.4% lambda-cyhalothrin as the active ingredient,into water as a carrier. This formulation was applied for one minute atroom temperature to twenty-five grams of Pioneer corn seed (CultivarPN3394) in a rotostatic seed treater at a rate of 125 g, 250 g or 500 gactive ingredient (Al) to 100 kg seed. The treated seeds were allowed tosit uncapped for four to twenty-four hours before planting.

[0107] Treated and untreated seeds (Pioneer hybrid PN3394) were plantedin a soil mix consisting of Dupo silt loam, 30% Perlite, 20% coarse sand(WB-10 grade) in six groups of tubs (20 in. L×15 in. W×8 in. D). Twelveseeds were planted per tub and three tubs were planted for eachtreatment regimen. Soil applications of FORCE® 3GR, which contains 3%tefluthrin granule as the active ingredient, were used for two sets oftubs containing untreated seeds. The FORCE 3GR was applied eitherin-furrow or incorporated into a 5 inch band on the soil surface at thetime of planting. The tubs were overhead irrigated until the plants wereinfested with black cutworm larvae.

[0108] The rate of application for the FORCE 3GR was reported in unitsof grams of the active ingredient per hectare (g/ha), while the rate ofapplication of the WARRIOR T to the seeds was reported in units of gramsof the active ingredient per 100 kilograms of the seeds (g/100 kg).Although the conversion of one of these units to the other will varysomewhat according to the type of seed that is being used, the size andweight of the seed, and the density of planting that is used—among otherthings—an approximate conversion for corn seed can be carried out asfollows. Assuming a seed application rate of lambda cyhalothrin of, forexample, 125 g/100 kg of seed and a planting density of 15 lbs seed/ac,about 14.7 acres can be planted with 100 kg of the seed. This is aneffective application rate of about 8.5 g of lambda cyhalthrin per acre.At 2.47 ac/ha, the seed treatment level of 125 g/100 kg is approximatelyequivalent to a surface banding treatment at about 21 g/ha.

[0109] At twelve days after planting (DAP) but before infestation, theoverall health of each plant was rated by looking at emergence, heightand appearance. This vigor rating gives an indication of anyphytotoxicity from the seed or soil treatment. A rating of 1 indicatesextremely low vigor while 10 is the highest vigor rating.

[0110] The corn plants were infested at 12 DAP, which corresponds tolate growth stage V1 by placing two black cutworm larvae at {fraction(3/4)} instar on the soil surface near the base of the plant. Plantswere rated 3, 7 and 10 days after infestation (DAI) for the number ofcut plants, as well as damage from leaf feeding. The percent standreduction due to plant cutting was calculated by dividing the number ofcut plants into the number of plants present at infestation. The foliarfeeding injury was evaluated using a rating scale of 1=no damage and10=complete defoliation. The mean results for the three tubs for eachtreatment regimen are presented in Table 2 below.

[0111] Table 2. Efficacy of lambda-cyhalothrin seed-treatment againstblack cutworm feeding damage on corn. Vigor % Stand Plant % Stand Plant% Stand Plant Treatment at Reduct'n Defol. Reduct'n Defol. Reduct'nDefol. Regimen 12 DAP 3 DAI 3 DAI 7 DAI 7 DAI 10 DAI 10 DAI None 8.072.8 9.0 94.4 9.3 100.0 10.0 λ-cyhalothrin 9.0 13.9 4.3 16.7 5.0 19.43.3 seed 125 g/100 kg λ-cyhalothrin 8.3 3.0 3.7 3.0 2.7 3.0 1.7 seed 250g/100 kg λ-cyhalothrin 8.3 0.0 2.0 0.0 2.3 0.0 1.0 seed 500 g/100 kgTefluthrin 9.0 33.9 5.0 48.0 6.0 48.0 5.3 in-furrow 30 g/ha Tefluthrin8.7 0.0 1.7 0.0 1.7 0.0 0.3 banded 30 g/ha

[0112] These results demonstrate that seed treatment withlambda-cyhalothrin prior to planting provides significant protection ofcorn plants against shoot/foliar feeding damage by black cutworm. Forexample, at 7 DAI with the lowest rate tested (125 g/kg seed), asignificant reduction was observed for both plant cutting (16.7% forseed treatment vs. 94% for untreated control) and foliar feeding injury(5.0 for seed treatment vs. 9.3 rating for untreated control) Inaddition, tubs planted with seed treated with lambda-cyhalothrin atrates of 250 and 500 g/100 kg seed, showed essentially no standreduction from plant cutting (3% and 0% for 250 and 500 g, respectively)and only low levels of foliar injury (2.7 and 2.3 rating for 250 and 500g, respectively). This level of protection was equal to the tefluthrinsoil band treatment and superior to tefluthrin in-furrow treatment. Whenthe tubs were evaluated at 10 DAI, no increase in plant cutting and onlyslightly higher ratings for foliar feeding injury were observed withlambda-cyhalothrin seed treatments as compared to evaluations at 7 DAI.In contrast, the untreated control tubs exhibited 100% plant cutting andcomplete defoliation by 10 DAI.

EXAMPLE 2

[0113] This example illustrates the efficacy of corn seed treatment witha combination of tefluthrin and thiamethoxam against plant damage byblack cutworm.

[0114] Seed treatment formulations were prepared from tefluthrin(available under the trade name of RAZE® 2.5 FS, from Wilbur Ellis Co.)and thiamethoxam(3-[(2-chloro-5-thiazolyl)methyl]tetrahydro-5-methyl-N-nitro-4H-1,3,5-oxadiazine-4-imine;CAS Registry No. 153719-23-4). In addition, separate seed treatmentformulations were prepared from each of the two insecticides alone.These formulations were applied for one minute at room temperature totwenty-five grams of Pioneer corn seed (Cultivar PN3394) in a rotostaticseed treater at the rates shown in Table 3. The treated seeds wereallowed to sit uncapped for four to twenty-four hours before planting.

[0115] Treated and untreated seeds (Pioneer hybrid PN3394) were plantedin a soil mix consisting of Dupo silt loam, 30% Perlite, 20% coarse sand(WB-10 grade) in six groups of tubs (20 in. L×15 in. W×8 in. D). Twelveseeds were planted-per tub and three tubs were planted for eachtreatment regimen.

[0116] The corn plants were infested at 12 days after planting (DAP),which corresponds to late growth stage V1 by placing two black cutwormlarvae at 314 instar on the soil surface near the base of the plant.Plants were rated 10 days after infestation (DAI) for the number of cutplants, as well as damage from leaf feeding. The percent stand reductiondue to plant cutting was calculated by dividing the number of cut plantsinto the number of plants present at infestation. The foliar feedinginjury was evaluated using a rating scale of 1=no damage and 10=completedefoliation. The mean results for the three tubs for each treatmentregimen are presented in Table 3 below.

[0117] Whether a combination of insecticides provided synergy inprotection against cutworm damage was calculated as described by Colby,Robert. S., in Weeds, 15(1):20-22 (1967). The threshold value (stated as% of control) for synergy of a combination was calculated as 5=(% ofcontrol for treatment A)*(% of control for treatment B)/100(n−1); wheren=number of active ingredients in combination. A measured % of controlvalue that is less than the threshold value indicates synergy of thecombination.

[0118] Threshold values for synergy were calculated for each 10combination shown in Table 3 by the method described above. Thresholdvalues for synergy are shown in Table 4. TABLE 3 Protection of cornplants against black cutworm damage by seed treatments with tefluthrin,thiamethoxam and combinations of the two. STAND Tefluthrin ThiamethoxamREDUCTION Percent (gm/100 (gm/100 kg (% at 10 of TREATMENT kg seed)seed) days) Control Synergy RAZE 100 57.6 57.6 RAZE 200 58.9 58.9 RAZE300 90.6 90.6 ADAGE 200 96.9 96.9 ADAGE 300 100 100 RAZE/AD 100 200 58.958.9 NO RAZE/AD 200 200 56.3 56.3 NO RAZE/AD 300 200 60.3 60.3 NORAZE/AD 100 300 51.3 51.3 YES RAZE/AD 200 300 37.5 37.7 YES RAZE/AD 300300 28.1 28.1 YES UNTREATED  0  0 100 CONTROL

[0119] TABLE 4 Matrix of threshold values for synergy of combination (%of control) RAZE @ 100 RAZE @ 200 RAZE @ 300 ADAGE @ 200 52.2 55.8 57.6ADAGE @ 300 53.4 57.1 58.9

[0120] The results of this test showed that the combinations oftefluthrin and thiamethoxam were effective, and, in fact, weresynergistic against damage to the plant by black cutworm for all levelsof tefluthrin when levels of thiamethoxam were 300 gm/100 kg of seed (orabout 0.3% by weight of the seed).

[0121] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several advantagesof the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

[0122] As various changes could be made in the above methods andcompositions without departing from the scope of the invention, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

[0123] The discussion of references herein is intended merely tosummarize the assertions made by their authors and no admission is madethat any reference constitutes prior art. Applicants reserve the rightto challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited references.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for preventing damage by a pest to aseed and/or shoots and foliage of a plant grown from the seed, themethod comprising treating the unsown seed with a composition comprisingthiamethoxam and at least one pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid.
 2. Themethod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pyrethrin or syntheticpyrethroid is selected from the group consisting of taufluvalinate,flumethrin, trans-cyfluthrin, kadethrin, bioresmethrin, tetramethrin,phenothrin, empenthrin, cyphenothrin, prallethrin, imiprothrin,allethrin and bioallethrin.
 3. The method as set forth in claim 1,wherein the composition is included in a seed coating. 4 The method asset forth in claim 3, wherein at least one of the pyrethroids is asystemic insecticide.
 5. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein theseed is treated with the composition of the pyrethroid and thethiamethoxam in an amount effective to provide protection to the seedand/or the shoots and foliage of the plant against damage by the pest.6. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein the seed is treated withthe pyrethroid at the same time that it is treated with thethiamethoxam.
 7. The method as set forth in claim
 3. wherein the seed istreated with the pyrethroid as a different time than it is treated withthe thiamethoxam.
 8. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein thecomposition is included in a seed coating.
 9. A seed that has beentreated by the method as set forth in claim
 1. 10. The seed as set forthin claim 9, wherein the seed is selected from the group consisting ofcorn, soybean, cotton, rice, sorghum, sugar beet, wheat, barley, rye,sunflower, tomato, sugarcane, tobacco, rape and oats.
 11. The seed asset forth in claim 10, wherein the seed is selected from the groupconsisting of corn, soybean and cotton seed.
 12. The seed as set forthin claim 11, wherein the seed is corn seed.
 13. The seed as set forth inclaim 10, wherein the seed is a transgenic seed.
 14. A composition forthe treatment of unsown seed comprising thiamethoxam and at least onepyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid is selected from the group consistingof taufluvalinate, flumethrin, trans-cyfluthrin, kadethrin,bioresmethrin, tetramethrin, phenothrin, empenthrin, cyphenothrin,prallethrin, imiprothrin, allethrin and bioallethrin.
 15. A seed that isprotected against multiple pests comprising a seed having at least oneheterologous gene encoding for the expression of a protein that isactive against a first pest and, in addition, having adhered thereto acomposition comprising at least one pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroidand thiamethoxam, where the composition is present in an amounteffective to provide protection to the shoots and foliage of the plantagainst damage by at least one second pest.
 16. The seed as set forth inclaim 15, wherein the at least one heterologous gene encodes for theexpression of a protein that is insecticidally active.
 17. The seed asset forth in claim 16, wherein the gene is one originally derived from amicroorganism selected from the group consisting of Bacillus, Rhizobium,Pseudomonas, Serratia, Trichoderma, Glomus, Gliocladium and mycorrhizalfungi.
 18. The seed as set forth in claim 17, wherein the protein isactive against corn root worm.
 19. The seed as set forth in claim 17,wherein the protein is active against european corn borer.
 20. The seedas set forth in claim 19 wherein the gene is one originally derived froma Bacillus sp. microorganism.
 21. The seed as set forth in claim 20,wherein the gene is one originally derived from Bacillus thuringiensis.22. The seed as set forth in claim 21, wherein the gene is one thatencodes for the production of a modified Cry3Bb delta-endotoxin.
 23. Theseed as set forth in claim 15, wherein the seed is selected from thegroup consisting of corn, soybean, cofton, rice, sorghum, sugar beet,wheat, barley, rye, sunflower, tomato, sugarcane, tobacco, rape andoats.
 24. A method for treating an unsown seed to prevent damage by apest to the seed and/or shoots and foliage of a plant grown from theseed, the method comprising contacting the unsown seed with acomposition comprising thiamethoxam and at least one pyrethrin orsynthetic pyrethroid which is selected from the group consisting oftaufluvalinate, flumethrin, trans-cyfluthrin, kadethrin, bioresmethrin,tetramethrin, phenothrin, empenthrin, cyphenothrin, prallethrin,imiprothrin, allethrin and bioallethrin.